Columbus firefighter arrested and suspended

COLUMBUS, Ind. (WISH) — A Columbus firefighter was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury.

At 2:48 p.m. on March 15, police responded to the intersection of East 500 North and North 1150 East on a report of traffic incident resulting in injury. Police arrived and located the victim lying next to the road.

The victim stated that he was traveling north on North 1150 East when a red Chevrolet pickup truck struck him while he was on his bike. The victim said after the collision, the vehicle on turned on East 500 North traveling westbound.

The victim was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital for possible internal injuries.

An hour after the victim was located, police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the description in the area of State Street and McKinley Avenue.

Police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified Nicholas Tuttle, 35, of Columbus, as the driver of the vehicle. Investigators examined the damage to Tuttle’s vehicle and administered sobriety tests to Tuttle, both of which indicated that Tuttle was involved in the collision while under the influence.

Tuttle took a certified breath test that resulted in a breath alcohol content level of .11. Tuttle was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail.

Two children who were inside of Tuttle’s vehicle at the time of the traffic stop were released to their mother.

According to the Columbus Fire Department, Tuttle was placed on administrative leave and the incident is being reviewed by the Fire Department Administration and the City of Columbus Public Works Board.